Real Madrid continued with their recent trend of grinding out results following the 4-0 derby day defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Leading up to the match against their city rivals, the reigning European and world champions’ performances were dealing with adversity and had been less than convincing.

Shortly after the start of the New Year, Real saw their 22-match winning streak snapped by Valencia and followed that effort up with lackluster performances throughout January and early-February. The team looked tired and/or disinterested, and simply wasn’t hitting on all cylinders like it had during the later part of 2014.

Injuries to James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos and Sami Khedira had apparently taken a toll on squad, as lesser used players were asked to step in and carry the baton for their wounded teammates.

The fact that manager Carlo Ancelotti had been reluctant to rotate his squad earlier in the campaign had come back to haunt the club.

Through the match against Atletico Madrid, Ancelotti’s side had played nine matches since returning from winter break: winning five, losing three with one draw.

Locker room unrest – coupled with the drama which engulfed the club following Cristiano Ronaldo’s 30th birthday party the night of their derby day defeat Atletico Madrid – only intensified fans’ scrutiny of Real Madrid’s on the field performances.

But since the loss to their city rivals, Los Blancos have now won three matches in all competitions and have yet to allow a goal.

While still not as convincing as the high-flying score lines from earlier in the season, Carlo Ancelotti is seeing his second-choice players step up during the absence of key personnel. While the club’s veterans are providing the grit and leadership needed to keep Madrid above hard-charging Barcelona on the La Liga table.

After a brief scoring draught, Cristiano Ronaldo has found the back of the net twice in Madrid’s last two matches – scoring his 290th goal for the club against Elche leaving him only 33 goals behind Raul’s record of 323.

Isco has continued to be arguably Madrid’s most important player this season, outside of Ronaldo. The midfielder’s performances have been jaw-dropping since he was asked to pick up the playmaking role left vacant due to a November injury to Luka Modric.

January signing Lucas Silva has been thrust into Carlo Ancelotti’s starting eleven and has shown no signs of needing to adjust following his switch from the Brazilian side Cruzeiro. While Raphael Varane has stepped in for the injured Sergio Ramos and settled into Madrid’s back four, after a subpar 90 minutes against Atletico Madrid.

Following yesterday’s hard-fought 2-0 win over a resilient Elche side, Los Blancos were able to extend their league lead over the Catalan club to four points.

“Since the defeat at Atletico, we have played three matches and haven’t conceded any goals,” Ancelotti said following yesterday’s win. “That means the team defended well, together, without granting opportunities. It’s what we have improved the most.”

“With this attitude we are going to win matches. The team understand this is important. We work well with concentration. The team has improved and also their physical state is better.”

Striker Karim Benzema also feels the mood has changed around the club, and pointed to Sunday’s result as proof of the team’s increasing unity.

“We won with good feelings, we played very well,” the France international said. “We defend together, we attack together and in this moment we are much better.”

“I don’t know if it’s a different attitude, but you can see that we are at our best.”

Perhaps Barcelona’s shock defeat to Malaga on Saturday gave Real Madrid the additional motivation it needed going into the tricky league fixture against Elche. Regardless, Carlo Ancelotti knows that the race for the league title is far from over.

“It surprised everyone [Barcelona’s 1-0 defeat to Malaga], because they were going through a very good moment of play,” the manager added.

“In La Liga, we have an advantage, but it will be decided in the last match of the season.”